COURSE CARE

The Dicey, Icy Decision
February 14, 2011
By Bob Vavrek

Document the health of turf from greens affected by ice and snow throughout the winter to
determine the potential benefits of ice removal.The foul smell of anaerobic soil
conditions noted during the process of removing turf samples will support the decision to remove
ice from putting surfaces.

There has been no shortage of snow cover at most courses across the Upper Midwest. Several early
storms followed by a blizzard produced a deep layer of insulation across the region’s golf courses.
Generally, a dense blanket of snow is the ideal scenario to ensure turf survival by protecting the
turfgrass crowns from frigid temperatures.

However, the current snow cover may be a two-edged sword this winter. Several days of unusually mild
weather accompanied by rain, just prior to the first of the year, melted nearly all of the December
snow except for playing surfaces located in low-lying, protected sites that tend to accumulate extra
deep snow cover. Exposed sites that lost all snow and frost in the ground benefited from the
current snow cover, but protected sites found the frost impeded water movement through the turf and
were sealed beneath a dense layer of solid ice to start the year. Snow cover over the ice-affected
turf increase the potential for ice suffocation.

Several superintendents have sampled turf under the 30 to 40-day old ice cover and the stench of
anaerobic conditions (lack of oxygen) beneath the ice was overwhelming. The smell of decaying turf
and organic matter is never a good omen, but plugs of turf taken indoors to green up did not appear
to be injured.

A week of mild temperatures has many superintendents weighing the pros and cons of removing snow from
greens to expose ice to sunlight and warm temperatures. There is always risk and reward involved
when attempts are made to remove ice, but the risk of allowing ice to remain any longer on greens
that already have an anaerobic smell is probably greater than the potential for causing damage by
removing snow.

If the greens are not affected by ice, the best bet is to let nature take its course with respect to
snow cover. Perhaps clearing a path or channel along the perimeter of the green to allow the water
from melting snow to flow off the putting surface is worth the effort, but keep the plows, snow
blowers, and shovels off the greens.

On the other hand, it makes sense to remove snow from greens that already have six-plus weeks of
uninterrupted ice cover and then apply some type of darkening agent to the surface to at least
honeycomb the ice and vent the anaerobic gas accumulations. Black sand or dark-colored organic
fertilizer products, such as Milorganite, are commonly used to speed up the process of ice removal.

As always, the key to making the best decision is to monitor turf conditions beneath the ice and snow
as often as possible throughout the winter and pay special attention to sites that have a history of
winterkill.

More from the USGA

USGA PARTNERS

American Express

Together, American Express and the USGA have been providing world-class service to golf fans since 2006. By creating interactive U.S. Open experiences both onsite and online, American Express enhances the USGA’s effort to make the game more accessible and enjoyable for fans.

For more information on American Express visit www.americanexpress.com/entertainment

Deloitte

As a strategic partner, Deloitte delivers thought leadership, business knowledge and innovation concepts to help the organization better serve the game and its constituents. Together, Deloitte and the USGA created a transformative strategy that responds to the needs of today’s game, deepens engagement in the golf community, and empowers people to connect in new ways.

In addition to its professional services work with the USGA, Deloitte supports USGA initiatives and championships, including programs that celebrate volunteerism, and promote inclusion and innovation in and beyond the golf community.

Lexus is committed to partnering with the USGA to deliver a best-in-class experience for the world’s best golfers by providing a fleet of courtesy luxury vehicles for all USGA Championships.

At each U.S. Open, Women’s Open and Senior Open, Lexus provides spectators with access to unique experiences ranging from the opportunity to have a picture taken with both the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open trophies to autograph signings with legendary Lexus Golf Ambassadors in the Lexus Performance Drive Pavilion.

Rolex has been a longtime supporter of the USGA and salutes the sportsmanship and great traditions unique to the game.

This support includes the Rules of Golf where Rolex has partnered with the USGA to ensure golfers understand and appreciate the game.As the official timekeeper of the USGA and its championships, they also provide clocks throughout host sites for spectator convenience.

For more information on Rolex and their celebration of the game, visit the Rolex and Golf homepage.